Zali Steggall (Warringah, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

After listening to the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction's statement to the House this morning on Australia's energy future, I am left thinking that he and the Morrison government really don't understand how the business sector plans for the future. All sectors are crying out for policy certainty when it comes to emissions reduction. So I thought I'd explain what, clearly, our trading partners, such as the UK, Germany and Japan, understand: net zero by 2050 makes economic sense. Putting in place the legislative framework to reach net zero by 2050 focuses investment, which then develops more low-emissions technologies and accelerates emissions reduction. As technology develops emission reduction budgets can get more and more ambitious. That's why we need to start locking in net zero by 2050.

As the conservative British Prime Minister reminded the Prime Minister, 'We have to be bold', and he is in a perfect position to provide us with advice about emissions reduction. The UK passed the Climate Change Act 12 years ago and they've been reaping the rewards. In the meantime Australia has no set goal, no clear policy, while other countries are simply getting on with it. We're being left behind and Australian business and the Australian people deserve better. That's why I will be tabling the Climate Change Bill on 9 November. I urge all those who claim to care about climate change and emission reduction to get on board.

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